Summer is right around the corner, at Allen-Taintor Dermatology, we take skin care seriously! If you’ve been out in the sun, it’s a good reminder to start protecting your skin before the high heat strikes. Did you know that between 40-50% of Americans will develop some form of skin cancer during their lifetime? The Skin Cancer Foundation has been providing excellent information since 1979 on how to protect your skin and reduce your risk of developing skin cancer. Here are some of our tips we recommend all patients follow this summer.

Tip # 1 – Find Shade

Splash pads have grown in popularity over the years, but not many of them have shade options for adults and children to seek shelter from the heat. We recommend you bring some shade umbrellas with you to make sure you have a place to protect your skin. Shade is essential, especially during those high heat hours of the day from 10AM to 4PM.

Leave an umbrella in your car to use as an emergency sunshade if you do happen to forget your sunscreen.

Tip # 2 – Use Sunscreen

If you want to truly protect your skin, always lather up with sunscreen. Plenty of sunscreen is designed to protect your skin from the harmful UV rays. Purchase sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection of at least 30 or higher. Remember to re-apply the sunscreen every 30 minutes or so, especially if you do get your skin wet. Apply at least one ounce of sunscreen to your body each time you re-apply the sunscreen to keep your skin protected.

One more tip about sunscreen, consider putting it on in your vehicle. Those car windows do not block out the sun’s rays, and you can end up with a serious burn if you are driving for several hours.

Tip # 3 – Do Not Burn!

We cannot stress this enough! Burning your skin can lead to an increased risk of skin cancer. Plus, burning the skin can be painful and can take a few days to feel better. If you do end up burning your skin, apply Aloe Vera to the skin to soothe the burn. There are several lotions and creams available that will help to moisturize the skin and aid in the healing process.

Tip # 4 – Wear Clothing

Swim cover-ups are a great way to help cover and protect the skin from the sun. Of course, we recommend always wearing clothing to keep your skin covered, but the hot Utah weather doesn’t always allow for long pants and shirts in the summer!

Tip # 5 – Inspect Your Skin

Purchase a full length mirror and take a look at your skin. If you notice any freckles that seem to be larger in size or darker in color, give Allen-Taintor Dermatology a call. Look for anything that seems out of the ordinary to make sure your skin is doing okay. We recommend scheduling a consultation with our Ogden skin cancer office for a screening. We can note all of the freckles and areas that may seem like “warning spots” for cancer concerns.

Yearly skin cancer screenings is one of the best ways to ensure your skin will remain healthy, and you will be able to receive early treatment for any skin cancer concerns.